By Scott Linesburgh
Record Staff Writer
STOCKTON — Molly Mordaunt-Hummel likes to think of sports as a chance to teach life lessons.
And sometimes, those lessons come from her own life.
The Stockton native and Delta College volleyball coach is certainly at a high point. She has a very competitive team, recruiting is up since last year’s run into the state championship match, and she’s new mom, having given birth to her daughter, Emeline, a month ago.
Mordaunt-Hummel, 36, kept her team informed of what was going on during the pregnancy.
“I wanted the girls to feel a part of the birth of Emmy,” said Mordaunt-Hummel on the latest episode of The Record’s 209 Overtime podcast.
“I talked a lot about being a mom, and having a career, and being able to balance family and a career. I thought it was really important to teach the girls that you can be a strong, independent working mom.”
The Mustangs quickly adopted the newest member of the Hummel family.
“The girls call her their little sister,” Mordaunt-Hummel said. “They feel very bonded and attached to her.”
Mordaunt-Hummel is in her eighth season as Delta’s head coach, and is pleased she’s been able to play and coach in her hometown. She was a star at Lincoln High and spent for seasons with University of the Pacific. She has coached club volleyball, and was an assistant and Delta and Pacific before taking over the Mustangs’ program.
“I coached at Division I for a while, and I wanted back at the junior college level. I absolutely love this level,” Mordaunt-Hummel said. “At Division I, I was traveling all over the United States. I was recruiting, I was gone a lot, I was in my 20s. Long term, I thought family is so important to me and one day I’m going to be a mom. I really feel as a junior college coach I can have a really healthy balance of coach and having a family.”